2013 Whitecaps FC Showcase aims to promote top talent from across Canada

March 14, 201312:53 PM PDT

Darcy Green

For young soccer players, the opportunity to showcase their talent for representatives from colleges and universities and in front of Whitecaps FC Residency and Girls Elite program staff is a dream come true, and during two weekends in March, young players will get the chance to do just that.

On the weekends of March 22-24 and 29-31, boys and girls will put their soccer skills on display at the 2013 Whitecaps FC College Showcase presented by Sport Chek at Surrey’s Newton Athletic Park. The first weekend will feature the girls’ showcase, while the second weekend will feature the boys’ showcase.

“We will have the top club teams in British Columbia and from across Canada along with Whitecaps FC Residency and Girls Elite feature games all bundled into an exciting showcase weekend,” said Dan Lenarduzzi, Whitecaps FC director of soccer development. “ It’s a fantastic one-stop scouting opportunity for college and university coaches as well as Whitecaps FC staff coaches. ”

Athletes and teams will demonstrate their talents to college and university coaches for scholarship opportunities as well as ‘Caps senior coaching staff for Whitecaps FC Residency and Girls Elite programs.

Participation is at capacity for 2013 with 125 teams (64 girls and 61 boys) representing every province from British Columbia to Quebec, as well as the state of Washington from across the border. Competition will be high and the talent pool will certainly be deep.

The tournament will feature all eight EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL) clubs participating. Already, more than a dozen boys have moved from the BCSPL into the ‘Caps Residency program, and more than 15 girls into the Girls Elite program.

As part of the showcase, Whitecaps FC Residency and Girls Elite squads will participate in feature matches to demonstrate the skill of the players within the ‘Caps development pyramid.

Whitecaps FC Girls Elite will take on the University of the Fraser Valley on Saturday, March 23 and Calgary Blizzard on Sunday, March 24.

Whitecaps FC U-18 and U-16 Residency teams will take on rivals Seattle Sounders FC Academy on Saturday, March 30. The U-18 match will kick off at 12 p.m. PT while the U-16 match will start at 2:30 p.m. PY.

For more information on the Whitecaps FC Showcase visit whitecapsfc.com/collegeshowcase.